Our office is mostly populated with women, therefore we are prone to some subject matter during our “hen parties” that you might not find in more diverse offices.

The other day, we were discussing our mothers, and the funny things they say and do, and I recounted the story of how I once (only once) told my mother that I could tell her eyesight wasn’t what it once was because I could see dust in her house. She quickly told me to get up off my “duff” and grab a dust rag and have at it.

My niece, Monica, sent me a photo of her son going up for a rebound during a recent basketball game. I looked at the picture and memories of him as a little boy came flooding back. I remember anxiously sitting by the telephone waiting for his birth and driving down to Fort Lauderdale to see him a few weeks after his arrival.

A big thank you to Sheriff Morris Young, his department and Lt. Corder of Gadsden County for the way they stepped up to help the homeless during the recent cold weather crisis. This was a very compassionate act which they provided when they saw the need.

I am so proud of Gadsden County and the way this department represented us. It's good to live in a county where people help people. Acts like this are what makes America the great country that we are.

The other day I was standing at my kitchen window, watching it rain. And I was enjoying it. I love rainy days...when I don't have to go anywhere. I love to sit on the porch, with a good book, and just listen to the rain fall. I even like the sound of people driving through the puddles.

As I stood there, I began to look at the puddles in my yard. There was one particularly large one, and I watched as raindrops landed in it. Each raindrop seem to ripple only so far. None of the ripples from any drops made it all the way to the edge of the puddle.

On May 5, 2009, while I was at work, a young man decided he wanted to kick in my front door. Once inside, he ransacked my bedroom and took jewelry. The jewelry, including my deceased mother's ring, was sold for a pittance and quickly melted down at a local establishment.

I am the pastor of Ole Gospel Tabernacle Church on Geddie Road in Tallahassee. Since the flag cannot speak, let me speak for her. "I was looked upon each day on Geddie Road through the wind, rain and sunshine. I was not ashamed to be identified with the church where I flew. I was looked upon in Iraq, Fallujah and Habayniah. I was saluted by young men and women, as well as high-ranking officers. I saw the same young men and women fall in death while fighting for your freedom in America. I was properly cared for by those who loved me.

It’s funny how things go sometimes. In recent months, the Times has been congratulated for its coverage of some controversial subject matter, yet kicked in the teeth for the same coverage. We’ve received positive comments from those who like that our Web site, www.gadcotimes.com, is the best local source for breaking news in the county. Yet we hear commentary from those who are upset that our print coverage is sometimes not as current.